Francis Duvall, an enterprising young farmer of the Mississippi Bottom, of Perry County, was born in 1852, and is the son of Samuel and Diana (Flynn) Duvall. All were slaves prior to the war, and after the close of hostilities lived two years in Illinois.

In 1867, they returned to Perry County, purchased a cow and team, and the father and son began farming upon rented land. Little by little prosperity came and they were finally able to purchase a small farm.

In 1881 the parents both died, the mother on March 27, and the father on November 8. They had a family of twelve children, of whom only two are now living. They are Louisa (wife of Charles Roberts of Bolivar County, Miss.), and Francis.

The latter purchased the interest of his sister in the home place, and in company with his father-in-law, Robert Bull, bought forty acres adjoining. He is now the owner of sixty acres of fine land upon which he has erected good buildings.

He was first married in 1877 to Effie Bull, who died on August 14, 1885. His present wife is Christina Vallard, by whom he is the father of one child, Essie.

The Goodspeed Publishing Company compiled a series of histories of various counties in the U.S. in the late 19th century. The information in the History of Southeast Missouri, published in 1888, was provided by the contemporary residents of Perry County and her neighboring counties. The biographies are a valuable source of genealogical information, despite a few minor inaccuracies. We are glad to present the transcribed biographies here for anyone researching Perry County's history.